Pneumatic dispatch-tube



(No Model.) 6 Sheets-Sheet 1.

S. P. LEAKE. PNEUMATIC DISPATCH TUBE.

No. 431,698. Patented Ju1y 8, 1890 .(No Model.) 'G-Sheetg-Sheet 2.

S P LEAKE PNEUMATIC DISPATCH TUBE.

- No. 431,698. Patented July 8, 1890.

m. N W J WITNESSES l 6 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

S F LEAKE PNEUMATIC DISPATGH TUBE.

- No. 431,698. Patented July '8, 1890.

WITNESSES v ZNVENTOR I M a M (No Model.)

6 Sheets-Sheet 4.

S. P.LEAKE. PNEUMATIC DISPATGH TUBE.

Patented July 8,1890.

' -1NVENTOR THE NORRIS PETERS 00., moroumo, vusmuurnu, n c.

(No Model.) 6 Sheets-Sheet 5.

s1". LEAKE.

PNBUMA-TIG DISPATCH TUBE. No. 431,698. Patented Jilly 8, 1890.

Iggy

INVENTOR ATTORNEY- (No Model.) e Sheets-Sheet e.

S. F. LEAKE.

PNEUMATIG'DISPATGH TUBE. v No. 431,698. Patented July 8, 1890.

WITNESSES: 1 JNVENTOR UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL F. LEAKE, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

PNEUMATIC DISPATCH-TUBE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 431,698, dated July 8,1890. Application filed October 26, 1889. Serial No. 328,245. (Nomodel.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL F. LEAKE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inPneumatic Dispatch-Tubes, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has relation to pneumatic dispatch-tubes or systems of theform comprising main and branch or sub lines, and having at the junctionof said lines movable tubular switches which form part of thedispatch-tubes; and it has for its object an ar rangement of saidswitches and devices for operating the switches, wherebyv they can bepositively and expeditiously moved to cause the carriers to travel inthe main line to the desired sub-station, to divert the carriers from amain line to a branch line and from the latter to the former withoutpermitting loss of the vacuum or air pressure of the system at saidswitches, and without necessitating the use of flexible or other sealedjoints for the switches.

My invention has for its further object to provide mechanical devicesfor quickly setting the switches, which mechanical devices are actuatedby the vacuum or air pressure of the system under the control ofelectrical appliances located at the switch or sub-stations.

My invention has for its further object a tubular form of dispatch-tubehaving rails therein and carriers having end wheels for travel on saidrails to diminish the frictional, contact between the tube and carriers.

My invention accordingly consists of the combinations, constructions,and arrangements of parts as hereinafter described in the specification,and pointed out in the claims, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a sectional plan of part of a main lineand a sub-station line with oscillating switches therefor, and part ofthe mechanical devices for the switches embodying my improvements andshowing the switches set for travel of the carriers through the mainlinetube. Fig. 2 is a section on the line 1 1, and Fig. 3 is a likeview online 2 2, Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a sectional longitudinal elevation of Fig.1, partly broken away, showing the actuating mechanism for the switchesand the electrical devices for controlling the operation of the saidactuating mechanism with the switches set, as shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 isa section on line 3 3, and Fig. 6 is a section on line 4 4, Fig. 4. Fig.7 is a view similar to Flg. 1, showing the switches set to divert thecarrier from a sub-station to the main line, or reversely. Fig. 8 is asection on line 5 5, and Fig. 9 is a section on line 6 6, Fig. 7. Fig.10 1s a view similar to Fig. 4, showing position of actuating mechanismfor the switches and electrical devices when switches are set, as shownin Fig. 7. Fig. 11 is a section on line 7 7, and Fig. 12 a section online 8 8, Fig. 10. Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showin theswitches set to divert the carrier from the main lineinto thesub-station, or reversely. Fig. 14 is a section on the line 9 9, and Fi15 a section on the line 10 10, Fig. 13. Fig. 1 6 is a view similar toFig. 4, showing position of actuating mechanism for the switches andelectrical devices when the switches are set, as shown in Fig. 13. Fig.17 is a section on the line 11 11,andFig. 18 asection on line 12 12,Fi16. Fig. 19 is a sectional plan similar to Fig.1 showing slidingswitches with actuating mech anism removed. Fig; 20 is a section on line13 13, Fig. 21 asection on line 14 14, and Fig. 22 a section on line 1515, of Fig. 19, and showing part of the actuating mechanism for theswitches which are set for the main tube. Fig. 23 is a view similar toFig. 19, showin part of the actuating mechanism therefor and theswitches setto join the main line and substation tubes or one of itsbranches. Fi 24 is a section on line 16 16, Fig. 25 a sectio n on line17 17, and Fig. 26 a section on line 18 18 of Fig. 23, with part ofactuating mechanism for said switches. Fig. 27 is a view similar to Fig.19, showing switches set to join the sub-station branch with the mainline. Fig. 28 is a section on line 19 19, Fig. 29 a section on line 2020, and Fig. 30 a section on line 21 21, of Fig. 27, with part ofactuating mechanism for the switches.- Fig. 31is a sectional plan ofpart of main line, sub-station branch and sliding switches therefor,showing a modi ficat-ion of actuating mechanism for the.

switches, and the latter set for the main line. Fig. 32 1s a like viewshowing the switches set for joining the main line and the sub-stationbrancln Figs. 33 and 34 are elevations of a modification of actuatingmechanism shown in Figs. 31 and 32, and illustratingthe movable parts ofthe same in two positions. Fig. 35 is a longitudinal section of part ofa dispatch-tube and an elevation of a carrier, showing sunken ordepressed rails or tracks in tube above and below the carrier for saidwheels of the latter. Fig. 36 is a cross-section of tube and end wheelof carrier 0. Fig. 37 is a View similar to Fig. 35, showing but onesunken or depressed rail or track. Fig. 38 is a cross-section of tubeand carrierwheel shown in Fig. 37. Fig. 39 is a View similar to Fig. 35,with raised tracks or rails above and below the carrier. Fig. 40 is across-section of same and carrier-wheel. Fig. 41 is a View similar toFig. 39, showing but one raised track; and Fig. 42 is a cross-see tionof same and carrier-wheel.

A represents a main-line tube, and B one of the sub line or stationtubes.

As the construction and arrangements of parts for joining thesub-station tube to the main tube are the same at all the sub Sta-1tions or lines, a description of one answers for all.

At each sub station or line in the line of the main tube A, and at asuitable distance.

' apart, are air-tight boxes C and O, in which tube A-is broken or cutaway, leaving ends a projecting slightly into said boxes. mediate ofboxes 0 O and at a suitable location is another like box 0 into whichthe projecting end I) of sub-station tube 13 leads. (See Fig. l.) Theboxes 0 O are joined by a curved tube B, and the boxes 0 and O by acurved tube B which tubes B and B are inlet and outlet tubes for thesub-station tube B. The tube B has projecting ends I) and b in the boxesC and 0 respectively, and the tube B has like ends 6 b in the boxes C C,respectively. The ends b b of the tubes B B are separated from eachother in box 0 as are the end I) and the adjacent end a of tube A in boxQ, and corresponding ends 12 and a of tubes B and A in box 0. In box 0are two curved switches D and, D, curving in opposite directions, asmore plainly shown in Fig. 3, to join the tube B to either its inlet oroutlet tube. These switches are secured to a an arm at, mounted upon ashaft d, (see more plainly Fig. 2,) having suitable bearings 01 in box Cand projecting from the latter through a sleeve 01 if desired, andterminating in a casing E, within which the shaft d is provided withabevel-wheel d and weighted lever or arm (1 In box C are two tubularswitches F and F, the former being straight to join the ends of the maintube A in said box, and the latter is curved to join the main tube withthe sub-station tube B. These switches F F are suitably secured to anarm f, (seemore plainly Fig. 5,) mounted upon a shaft G, which is runthrough the box 0 into and through-casing E and into box 0, havcylinderK.

Intel ing suitable bearings g in boxes 0 and C. If desired, the exposedportions of the shaft G may run through sleeves g. WVithin casing E theshaft G is provided with a bevelwheel 9 which gears with the like wheel01 on shaft d. In box C are two tubular switches H and H, the formerbeing straight to join the ends of the main tube A in said box, and thelatter is curved to join the main tube with the sub-station tube 13*.These switches H and H are suitably secured to an arm h, mounted on theshaft G. (See more plainly Fig. 6.) The boxes 0, O, and 0 as well as thecasing E, are constructed as desired, and preferably have removablecovers, so that access can readily be obtained to their containedmechanism or parts. The weighted arm d has a link-connection 2' passingthrough a stuffing-box i on the top of the casing E, with a cross-head71 one end of which is secured to a piston-rod 7c of cylinder K and theother end of which passes into an elongated slotted end 76 at the lowerend of a piston-rod of (Seen more plainly at at, Fig. 4.) The cylindersICK are of different lengths to have different strokes, the cylinder Khaving the longer stroke, and both are provided with the usual valve orvalves for admitting to them the vacuum or air pressure or other ablymounted as desired, each of which levers carries an armature for therespective magnets Z and 1, included in a divided or othersuitablyarranged battery or other electric circuit Z Z which alsoincludes a switch Z, having fixed terminals Z Z Z and a switch-lever ZIn the drawings, the motive-power appliances are shown as consisting ofa vacuum-pump M and reservoir L, for creating a vacuum in the system. Asshown, they are located at a sub-station, and said reservoirisrepresented as connected by a pipe m with the box 0; but in practicesaid pump and reservoir will be located as desired, or a vacuum deviceat one end of the system and an air-pressure at the other end may beused, as is well known. The main and sub station tubes are provided withcarrier transmitting and receiving devices of any suitable kind, whichare not shown in the drawings, as they are well known.

The normal position of the tubular switches in the boxes 0, C, and C areas shown in Fig. 1that is to say, the switches F and H are set tocomplete the passage through the main tube A, so that a carrier willtravel therein in either direction from end to end of the same, orotherwise, as desired, while the switches F, H, and D D are out ofconnection or unset with any of the main or sub station tubes.

WVhen the tubular switches in the boxes C, C, and C are in their normalposition, as described, the electrical switch-lever Z ateach sub-stationis in contact with the fixed switchterminal Z to open the dividedbattery-circuits Z Z To send a carrier from a sub-station in thedirection of arrow .2, Fig. 7, the switch-lever Z thereat is moved bythe substation attendant into contact with the fixed terminals Z Z asindicated in Fig. 10, to close the battery-circuit Z Z through magnet Zwhich then actuates its armature-lever Z to open the valve of thecylinder K to the vacuum in reservoir L, which draws up the piston incylinder K, together with its pistonrod k and cross-head 2' to raiselink 1' and weighted lever or arm d to its greater movement or highestposition, and in so doing the lever d rotates shafts G and d tosimultaneously oscillate all the tubular switches in boxes 0, O, and Cto the position shown in Fig. 7that is to say, the switch H in box 0 isjoined to the sub-station tube B and the main tube A and the switch D inbox C is joined to pipes 13 and B, to admit of the carriers passing outof the sub-station into the main tube in the direction of said arrow 2,while all the other switches at said substation .in the boxes 0, O, andO are unset or out of line with the sub-station and main tubes. If thecarrier is moving in the direction opposite to that indicated by thearrow 2, then it will be diverted into the sub-station.

To divert a carrier when moving in the main tube A in the direction ofarrow c, Fig. 7, from the main tube into the sub-station through thepipe B, the switch-lever Z is closed upon the fixed terminals Z Z toclose the battery-circuit through the magnet Z (see Fig. 16,) to actuateits armature-lever Z to open the valve of cylinder K, whereupon itspiston and rod 10 are subject to and raised by the vacuum in reservoir Ltoliftthe crossheadi and link t' to oscillate weighted lever or arm (1its lesser extent of movement, as indicated in Fig. 16, and in turn torotate the shafts G and d to move the tubular switches D and F intoconnection with the main and sub station tubes A, B, and B, asillustrated in Fig. 13, and the carrier passes from the main tube to thesub-station. If the carrier is sent out from the sub-station when theswitches are set, as last described, it travels through the tube A inthe direction of the arrow 2, Fig. 13. v

The difference in extent of movement of the piston-rods k k and of thecross-head 2' are compensated for or allowable, as above described, byreason of one of the ends of the cross-head 1' working in the slot is onpistonrod k From the foregoing it will be noted that the opening of thevalves for the cylinders K K is electrically controlled at the sub or some other stations, and that the vacuum or air pressure in the system orreservoirL controls the movementof the tubular switches in the boxes 0,O, and O toset any pair of said along the main tube A, or for divertingthem .from the main tube A to a sub-station, or for sending them fromthe latter to the former in either direction. It will also be noted thatwhen the said tubular switches are set they remain set until theelectrical switch-lever Z is moved into contact with the terminal Z toopen the battery-circuit l Z whereupon either of the magnets Z 1 ceasesto attract its armature, and it returns to its normal position bygravity or spring-pressure to close the valve in cylinder Kor K. Thepiston of the latter then drops or falls, which movement is induced bythe weighted lever or arm 61 to oscillate shafts G and d to return thetubular switches in boxes 0 C C to normal position, as indicated in Fig.1, so that the carrier is always free to travel through the main tube toany sub-station. It will be still further noted that all the tubularswitches in the boxes 0 C O are simultaneously moved, and that by usinga pair of switches in each box, and the latter being air-tight and opento the vacuum or air pressure of the system, no flexible or other likejoints are required for the switches, and all escape of air or vacuumpressure from said boxes and consequently from the system at theswitches is avoided.

By arranging the-main and branch or sub-- station tubes with the tubularswitches, as described, a single line of tubing only need be usedforsending the carriers in eitherdirection from sub-station tosub-station and from the end or main stations, and from the latter tothe sub-stations, or reversely. In all cases all that is required to bedone is to properly set the switches to obtain the desired path oftravel.

To set the switches at the sub-stations along the line, the attendantsthereat are properly notified, either from a main or other station orstations, by suitable telegraphic or other signaling, the deviceswherefor are not shown in the drawings, as they are well-known andanykind may be used; I have, however,-illustrated a form of the same inanother pending application filed by me of an even date herewith, SerialNo. 328,246, and the same are therein claimed.

Instead of using the air or vacuum pressure cylinders K K, andelectrical appliances for controlling the operation of the same, theymay be dispensed with and a hand-lever in in engagement with thecross-head '5, be substituted, in which case a radial arm m, withopenings m foralocking-pin passing through a registering-opening inlever -m is-used to lock the latter, and in turn the tubular switches intheir adj ust-ed positions.

In Figs..-19 to 30, inclusive, the tubularswitches in the boxes 0 O Oare mounted upon sliding cross-heads or connecting-bars n, having adepending slotted arm n, which has alink-connection n with the shafts Gand ICC d, as required, to slide the switches instead I of oscillatingthem, the various positions of the switchesand said'operating mechanismbeing indicated in said last named figures. In all other respects saidswitches are actuated in any of the ways hereinbefore described. So,too, in using said sliding switches, the shafts G and d, with themechanism interposed between them and the cylinders K K, as well as theseparate single-acting cylinders K K, may be dispensed with, and in lieuof which said switches are connected directly to the piston-rod of adouble-acting cylinder K as indicated in Figs. 31 and 32, which show apair of tubular switches in two different positions, to join the mainline, and the latter with 'the sub-station branch B, respectively. Inthis case the magnets Z l are shown as acting directly upon thecylinder-valves. In Figs.

33 and 34 the magnets Z l are in the form of solenoids, and their commoncore is shownv passing into the valve chest of the cylinder K in whichcase the valve for the cylinder K is preferably a slide -valve like thatusually employed for steam-engines. Said Figs. 33 and 34 represent thecore for the solenoids in the two diiferent positions to admit the airor vacuum pressure at each end of the cylinder.

The dispatch-tubes may be of any suitable form in cross-section, and thecarriers R are correspondingly configured to fit the bore of the tubesor otherwise, as desired. I prefer, however, to insert or form tracks orrails P in the tubes and provide the carriers R with end wheels 0, whichtravel on said tracks P, to diminish the friction between the carrier InFigs. 35 and 36 I haveand the tubes. shown the rails P depressed belowthe bore of the tubes, and said rails are located one on.

eries of the carrierwheels r are grooved to In Figs. 41 and 42 engagewith said rails. only one projecting rail is shown.

Asthe various novel constructions and ar-;

rangements of parts constituting my invention may be greatly variedwithout departing from the spirit thereof, I do not limit myself to thesame as shown and described. Neither do I limit myself to any particulararrange. ment of the various boxes 0, O, and O and their containedtubular switches, as it is obvious that the same will be differentlyarranged, according to their location in the system and the number ofmain and sub station lines or tubes leading thereto, as well as to thedisposition of the latter, my invention comprising, broadly, so far asit relates to the tubular switches, of the employment of the same eithersingly, in pairs, or in other desired numbers, which are bodily movedfrom end to end the same distance in the same plane as that of thetubes, in contradistinction to said switches being pivoted either at oneof their ends or at or near their center and In Figs. 39 and movingdifferently from their pivotal point to their ends.

Where the sub-station tube 13 is provided with the two branch tubes .13and B all the various switches and boxes 0, O, and C will be used; butwhen only one branch tube is used for a sub-station then only the onepair of switches F F and box 0 are needed. It is also obvious that theactuating devices for the tubular switches may be applied'to the usualforms of switches; or, in other words, the switches are positively movedto set them, and they automatically return to their normal position, sothat the carriers in any case do not act to either set the switches oreffect their return to their normal position. In using the motive powerfor actuating the switches each switch or sub-station may be providedwith separate power-generating devices independent of those foroperating the system, and when. the double-acting cylinders are used, asshown in Figs. 31 and 32, the switches are set and unset by the motivepower used; or, in other words, gravity devices are not then employed toeffect the return of the switches to their normal position.

The switches herein described working or moving in air-tight boxes, itwill be noticed, do not and need not have close or contact joints withthe ends of the tubes entering said boxes, and when shifted do notuncover said tube ends to the external atmosphere, and the same aretherefore to be contradistinguished from those forms of switches whichare not inclosed in air-tight boxes and have close, contact, or packedjoints with the tube ends or their connecting plates or flanges, whichtube ends are more or less uncovered to the external air when theswitches are shifted or moved.

What I claim is 1. In a pneumatic dispatch-tube system, the combinationof two differently-leading lines of tubes cut or broken away at theirjunctions, air-tight boxes at said junctions connecting said tubes, apair of tubular switches on said boxes and forming part of said lineswhen moved to join the same, and actuating mechanism for moving saidswitches, substantially as set forth.

2. In a pneumatic dispatch-tube system, the combination of a main tubeand a branch tube broken or cut away at their junctions, air-tight boxesat said junctions, a pair of tubular switches in said boxes and formingpart of said tubes when moved into line there with, support for saidswitches, and actuating mechanism for simultaneously moving all theswitches in said boxes to join one or more of the switches to anddisconnect the other switches from said tubes, substantially as setforth.

3. In combination with a broken or cut junction, of main and branchtubes of a pneumatic dispatch-tube system, an air-tight box at saidjunction, a pair of movable tubular IIO switches in said box, a supportfor said switches, and actuating mechanism for moving the switches thesame lateral distance from end to end to join said tubes, substantiallyas set forth.

4. In apneu matic dispatch-tube system, the combination of pipe or tube13, the air-tight box 0 diverging tubes B B from box 0 a pair ofdifferently-curved tubular switches in box 0 and actuating mechanism forsaid switches, substantially as set forth.

5. In a pneumatic dispatch-tube system, the combination of a single pipeor tube B, diverging tubes B B carrier-diverting switch having twodifierently-curved members between said tubes B and B B and actuatingdevices for said switch, substantially as set forth.

6. In a pneumatic dispatch-tube system, carrier-diverting switches onair-tight boxes, combined with mechanism operated by the motive power inthe system for actuating said switches, substantially as set forth.

7. In a pneumatic dispatch-tube system, the combination ofcarrier-diverting switches in air-tight boxes, mechanism operated by.the motive power of the system for actuating said switches, and devicesfor controlling the operation of said motive power, substantially as setforth.

8. In a pneumatic dispatch-tube system, the combination of acarrier-diverting switch, mechanism operated by the motive power of thesystem for setting said switch and looking it in its set position, anddevices for automatically returning the switch to its normal position,substantially as set forth.

9. In a pneumatic dispatch-tube system, a carrier-divertin g switch,combined with mechanism actuated by the motive power of the system foractuating said switch, and electrical devices for controlling theoperation of said motive power and locking the switch in its setposition, and gravity devices for returning the switch to its normalposition, substantially as set forth.

10. The combination of a main line A, having air-tight boxes 0 G, thebranch line B,

. having air-tight box 0 diverging tubes B B connecting-boxes O 0, andO, a pair of tubular switches in each of said air-tight boxes, andactuating mechanism in engagement with all of said switches forsimultaneously moving all of the switches to change the course of thecarrier through said lines and tubes, substantially as set forth.

11. .In a pneumatic dispatch-tube system, the combination ofcarrier-diverting switches in air-tight boxes, mechanism under thecontrol of an attendant for positively setting the switch, lockingmechanism for retaining the switch in its set position, and devices forautomatically returning the switch to its normal position when itslocking mechanism is released, substantially as set forth.

12. In a pneumatic dispatch-tube system, the combination of a mainline,a sub-line,

.two differently-directed branches from the subv to the main 1ine,'andcarrier-diverting switches in airtight boxes at the junction of the mainline and said branches for divert-. ing carriers from the sub-line intothe main line and from the latter to the former in different directions,substantially as set forth.

13. In a pneumatic dispatch-tube system, the combination of separatepairs of carrierdiverting switches in air-tight boxes, movaswitches insaid boxes, sub-line B having airtight box 0 carrier-diverting switchesin box 0 branches B B connecting box (1 with boxes 0 G, and actuatingmechanism for said switches, substantially as set forth.

16. In a pneumatic dispatch-tube system, the combination of the carrierdiverting switches in air-tight boxes, a power-acting cylinder orcylinders in engagement with the switches, and actuating devices forcontrolling the operation of the cylinders for movin g the switches,substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

SAMUEL F. LEAKE.

Witnesses:

SJJ. VAN STAVOREN, CHAS. F. VAN HORN.

